Archive By Section - Local

The Covington Police Department is going one step further to combat crime in local neighborhoods by using a free app available on smart phones that will deliver tips to officers in real time while allowing tipsters to remain completely anonymous.

Newton County District Attorney Layla Zon has been tapped as a special prosecutor in the Clayton County case against former sheriff Victor Hill, who is accused of committing multiple thefts while in office.

The Newton-Rockdale Optimist Club is hosting an essay contest. It is open to youth up to 18 years old as of Dec. 31, 2011 who have not graduated high school or the equivalent. Those who are interested are to email NewtonRockdaleOptimist@gmail.com to receive an application and full contest rules.

January is National Mentoring Month and local nonprofit Newton Mentoring is hosting a recruitment reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Porter Memorial Branch Library, 6191 Ga. Highway 212, Covington.

IN BRIEF: Rockdale County firefighters responded to a house fire at 3:03 p.m. Friday at Cook Road. Four engines, one rescue unit and mutual aid from Henry County responded to this location, according to Rockdale County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Sharon Webb.

IN BRIEF: A two-vehicle accident was reported near the intersection of Smyrna Road and Ga. Highway 212, around 1 p.m. on Friday. A 1996 Plymouth Breeze that had turned left off of Smyrna Road onto 212 was reportedly hit by a GMC Savannah van on Ga. Highway 212 heading towards DeKalb County. The female driver of the Plymouth Breeze was extracted from her car and transported by ambulance to Atlanta Medical, according to Rockdale County Fire Department spokesperson Sharon Webb. No other passengers were reportedly in the vehicles.

While many executives spend an average of five years in one place, Newton Medical Center finds itself in the rare position of having four executives who have been with their hospital a combined 100 years.

A local economic development specialist was selected to sit on the board of directors of the Georgia Piedmont Foundation, a move that fits into the technical college's greater inclusion of Newton County.